23 February, 2022
The stage is set for the region's renowned Words Out West: Western Downs Readers and Writers Festival with events selling out fast ahead of opening night in less than two weeks.
This year's festival is set to welcome record crowds, with the program officially kicking off next Friday, 4 March with the sold–out Cocktail Chronicles starring Gold Logie winner Samuel Johnson OAM.
Council Spokesperson for Community and Cultural Development Councillor Kaye Maguire said the region was busy readying for another stellar Festival and encouraged residents and visitors to get in quick to secure their spot.
"We are so excited to bring Words Out West back to the Western Downs in 2022, offering what is sure to be a captivating program of events and activities to tweak every age and interest," Cr Maguire said.
"We have an incredible line-up of literary royalty taking part this year including international bestselling author of The Book Thief Markus Zusak, prize-winning Australian novelist and journalist Matthew Condon, ABC Journalist Lisa Millar, Sydney-based novelist Nicola Moriarty, and plenty more.
"There are still tickets available for the main Festival Day on Saturday 5 March, our regional Author Tour with best-selling women's fiction writer Tricia Stringer from Monday 7 – Wednesday 9 March, and the Schooners & Stories series with Sam Thaiday from Thursday 17 – Saturday 19 March.
"A small number of tickets are also still available for the Romance Writing Writers Retreat with Ally Blake on Sunday 6 March, but spots are selling fast."
Cr Maguire said some events were already sold out, with no more tickets available for Cocktail Chronicles with Samuel Johnson, and the Memoir Writing Writers Retreat with Kristina Olsson.
"We also have more than 1,600 school students from across the region attending our jam-packed school days with special performances from Andrew Daddo, Mr Yipadee, and Stig Wemyss to name a few," she said.
"It's fantastic to see so many people getting in early and securing their spot, and we look forward to hosting people from all over Australia next weekend."
Words Out West: Western Downs Readers and Writers Festival is COVID safe and will require proof of vaccination upon entry to event venues.
